GRACE MIDTOWN CHURCH

LOCATION: English Avenue, Atlanta, GA

SIZE: 19,000 SF

STATUS: Completed 2019

Faced with a growing congregation and the need for a physical home to match an evolved brand and mission, Grace Midtown Church engaged KUA to oversee the conversion of a former demolition company warehouse into a flexible sanctuary and auditorium space. The goal was no small task: the warehouse was a dark, expansive building with decades of deferred maintenance surrounded by an asphalt parking lot.

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Leveraging deep knowledge of Atlanta zoning codes, a variance was acquired to drastically reduce required onsite parking, freeing up space for a new landscaped courtyard. To enable the warehouse building to function as an auditorium, KUA proposed that the center section of the roof be removed and raised, introducing natural light into the deep floorplate and enhancing interior sight lines. Around the central event space are accessory rooms, including meeting spaces, a recording studio, offices, and a small café area. Large new garage doors open onto a deep covered patio, extending the interior spaces seamlessly into the courtyard beyond. Late in the project the Atlanta Beltline announced the purchase of an adjacent parcel, bringing the heavily trafficked pedestrian and cycling path right past the church’s front door. Quick adjustments to the site design in coordination with the PATH Foundation were made to provide enhanced integration with the path. The dramatic transformation of the property was made possible by KUA’s detailed understanding of zoning codes and adaptive reuse techniques.